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Ariana Madix Reveals Why Her Next Career Move Is a Full-Circle Moment
The Vanderpump Rules cast member shared why her teenage self would be "so excited" about her upcoming Broadway role.
After a year filled with "many highs and many lows," Ariana Madix is officially wrapping up 2023 as a Broadway-bound, New York Times bestselling author.
The Vanderpump Rules cast member, who parted ways with her boyfriend of nine years, Tom Sandoval, in March 2023, topped off the year as the third-place finisher in her dancing gig. She also released her recipe book, Single AF Cocktails, and she's now preparing to take on the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago.
In an Instagram video announcing the exciting news, Ariana shared that she was "absolutely thrilled" to be taking on "an absolute lifelong dream" of hers. She chatted further with Bustle about it ahead of her big Big Apple moment.
Ariana Madix's Next Career Move Is a Major Full-Circle Moment
Though Chicago will mark Ariana's first starring role on Broadway, the former SUR bartender has long had aspirations to be on stage.
"I started doing theater in Catholic [middle] school," she told Bustle. "I always just really wanted to be on stage. Then in high school, I was doing show choir and the high school plays as well. I had dreams, even then, of skipping college altogether, moving to New York, and trying to be in theater. But my mom was like, 'No, you need to actually go to school.'"
Ariana attended Flagler College in her home state of Florida. After she graduated, she pursued acting in New York City, before moving to Los Angeles to further audition for film and television roles. During that time, she began working at Lisa Vanderpump's restaurants, Villa Blanca and SUR, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The bestselling author revealed how she thinks her teenage self would react to her major Chicago moment.
"Oh my gosh. My 14-year-old self would be so excited," she said. "I think I would just be like, 'Are you kidding me?'"
Ariana Madix Reflects on an "Insane" Year
Just a few days before her eight-week Broadway role was announced, Ariana reflected on her bittersweet year in an exclusive interview with The Daily Dish. After saying that she was looking forward to having some downtime during the holidays, Ariana shared a message for her fans.
"I just want to say that this year has been really insane for me," she said. "Obviously many highs and many lows, and I hope that everyone knows who has ever said a kind word to me or about me that I see them and I'm here for them, too."
Stream Vanderpump Rules on Peacock now. Season 11 will premiere on Tuesday, January 30 at 8/7c on Bravo.
